Though pretty much everyone wants to be a force for good, few have seriously questioned themselves on what exactly that means. It’s not surprising; figuring out who you are at your core in relation to your business can seem a difficult task.

But, formalizing your core values and beliefs is an essential part of creating a business that is a force for good. When things start moving quickly and decisions need to be made, your core values and vision are your guiding light.

The guiding light you hold consistently presents to the world who you are at your core and that you love this core. It is essential that you lovingly present the core of yourself; otherwise, it will be impossible to ask others to love you and what you are doing.

Take a moment to ask yourself some leading questions about the guiding light of your business. If you’re not in a reflective space right now, you may want to come back to this exercise later when you have some time to put real thought into it. So consider…

– What/who is most important to you in the world?

– Why did you choose to get into this particular business?

– What values (e.g., trust, honor, love, and hospitality) are most important to you?

– When was the last time you were a powerful influence for good? What elements were involved in that situation?

– In your wildest dreams, what legacy would you like to leave behind?

Use your answers to these questions to establish a brilliant and inspiring core business ideology. It may shift and change, and that’s okay. You will probably rewrite your business ideology multiple times before you settle on a version that seems right to you. Be sure to include what influence you would like your business to have and what values you would like your business to personify…